Pololu 38 kHz IR Proximity Sensor, High Brightness

51009

This module features a fixed-gain, 38 kHz modulated IR sensor and a corresponding IR LED with oscillator circuit to make a tiny proximity sensor. This high-brightness version draws an average of 16 mA at 5 V and has a typical sensing range up to approximately 24 inches (60 cm).

Connections

The logic power, VDD, should be between 3.3 V and 5 V. Supplying less than 5 V will decrease the IR LED brightness and decrease the sensing range. To run the sensor at full brightness while powered at 3.3 V, bridge the surface mount jumper located on the emitter side of the board.

The OUT pin, which is high by default, remains low as long as the TSSP77038 receiver is detecting a sufficient signal. When at the edge of the detection range, this output will alternate between high and low. A red LED on the emitter side of the board is tied to this output and turns on when the pin goes low, providing a visual indication of when the sensor is detecting something.

The ENABLE pin turns off the IR emitter LED when it is set low. This pin is high by default and can be left disconnected if dynamic control of the IR emitter is not needed. A green LED on the emitter side of the board is connected in parallel with the IR LED, making it easy to tell when the IR LED is on.

Tuning the emitter frequency

The trimmer potentiometer on the receiver side of the sensor can be used to adjust frequency of the IR emitter LED. The sensing distance can be maximized by tuning for 38 kHz, or it can be intentionally detuned to shorten the sensing range. If you have the appropriate equipment, you can tune it by setting the actual frequency, but a simpler approach is to just observe the performance as you turn the pot. The sensor should work to at least some degree over the entire range of the pot.

Limitations

This sensor will only tell you if an object is within its sensing range, not how far away it is. At the edge of its detection range, the output will alternate between high and low as it sporadically detects (see the left oscilloscope capture below).

The sensor is merely looking at whether or not it is getting any signal back, so object size and reflectivity (to IR) will affect sensing range.

The sensing angle is relatively wide in both directions. The high-brightness version in particular might require extra consideration when mounting to prevent seeing surfaces parallel to the sensor’s line of sight. For many applications, additional shielding can be used to block undesirable sensing paths, such as reflections off of the ground, or to reduce interference from ambient lighting. When applying shielding, keep in mind that reflection off the shielding itself can cause undesired activation of the sensor.

This sensor can be triggered by ambient IR (e.g. from fluorescent lights; see the right oscilloscope capture below). Some optical shielding, such as by having the sensor mounted receiver-side-down when fluorescent lights are above, might mitigate this. Some advanced analysis of the correlation between the output and toggling of the enable input might also be used to mitigate ambient interference.

Multiple sensors can interfere with each other. Multi-module applications might require use of the enable inputs to limit interference.